Chillin’ at home: These are some hot design ideas to keep your home cool through the summer

It’s no surprise that many Arizonans cringe at the thought of the inevitable summer
heat. With an average summer temperature wavering around 100 degrees, the
struggle to keep cool can seem impossible. Our homes can now serve as a getawayfrom the scalding summer months, as Arizona’s best designers shared their professional tips and tricks on how to keep any home cool and breezy this season.

Paint colors

Blues, greens and cool purples are the perfect paint colors to use in order to keep any room looking and feeling light and airy. Amanda Billings of CoCo Milano’s recommends “Mountain Air” by Sherwin Williams if you are looking to try a different shade on your walls. For those of us with white walls, Valerie Borden of Chimera Interior Design suggests
incorporating deep blue, lime green or bright orange accents to keep the space feeling cool and looking hot.

Fabric panels

If you aren’t going for a total repaint, Jamie Herzlinger, owner of Jamie Herzlinger
Interiors, suggests creating fabric panels for your walls to create a breezy feel and
integrate cool colors into any room. All you have to do is find your favorite summer
material, get it framed, and hang it on your wall as a fabric panel.

Ceiling fans

If you are looking for a stylish ceiling fan to keep a cool breeze flowing throughout your
space, Herzlinger recommends Modern Fan Company. According to Herzlinger,
they make the process of choosing a striking ceiling fan much easier. Borden
recommends their Aurora fan because it not only helps spread the breeze, but also comes with a beautiful up light.

Windows

In order to keep the heat out but still enjoy your view, roller shades serve as the best option to cover your windows. According to Hart, a 95 percent open roller shade will
tremendously reduce the amount of UV rays entering your home and will noticeably
lower the temperature. For those who prefer draperies, Herzlinger advises lining them with blackout fabric. By lining your drapes you will dramatically decrease the heat that enters your home.

Leather

Despite the belief that leather will leave you sticky and sweaty, it can actually reflect
the temperature of the room. Borden recommends top grain leather, because it is
typically between 12 and 14 percent water and will acclimate to your body temperature. Because leather is an organic material, it can “breathe” easier than most fabrics.

Flooring

It’s not surprising that carpet has a tendency to hold in heat. Instead, Adrienne Hart,
owner of ModaScapes Interior Design, suggests opting for a natural stone or
anything that is naturally porous in order to let air flow through freely. Although,
you do not have to completely eliminate all carpet within your space. “A nice area rug can balance your need for defining a space, good acoustics, and a touch of warmth
within your space,” Billings says. For an outdoor space, one should incorporate sandblasted limestone in a light color, because it does not trap heat, according to Borden. “You can walk barefoot on a 120-degree day and not have to rush to the emergency room,” she says.

Natural Fiber Fabrics

There’s nothing worse than sitting down on your couch and immediately starting to
sweat. Microfiber, better known as polyester, is the worst offender for working up an instantaneous sweat. “You could sweat just from sitting on it, because it is made from oil and oil heats up with friction,” Hart says. Natural fibers, such as cotton, serve as a more breathable alternative. The only downside to natural fibers is their lackluster stain-fighting abilities. But don’t fret, Herzlinger has provided us with the perfect solution— slipcovers. “Slipcovers are ideal because you can use them over and over again, year after year. And they can be washed, so if you have animals and kids, no need to stress!” she says.